Deborah and Jael
"We run this motha... GIRLS!
Who run the world? Girls!
Who run the world? Girls!
Who run the world? Girls!..."
Well hell... We have completed reading Judges, chapters 1-5, so what other song did you expect me to use to accompany this post? Since I know you have been following along with us in your Reading The Bible Again for the First Time, then you know that we have met two of the most wonderfully colorful women who yielded power, persuasion and authority over men, and yet are shamelessly overlooked by most that read and preach the "Word." And.... if you know anything about me - and by now you should - then you know I would not move through this book without shining the light on the only female "judge" and her cohort! I mean really... C'mo now. Not only would I not move on without giving Deborah her due, but I have no intention of leaving out that other woman warrior - Jael. For I can't tell the story of Deborah without including Jael... Runners on your mark. Get set. Let's go!
The story of Deborah begins in Judges 4:4 and ends in chapter 5 in a parallel retelling of her story in The Song of Deborah - what some refer to as classic prose in. First off, we are introduced to Deborah after the death of the previous "judge" Ehud. Now, I hope you all are clear that when we speak of the book of Judges, the 12 judges listed therein, and this period in the history of Israel, we are not speaking of judges as we know them today. Rather they were tribal leaders who, depending upon the circumstances - whether in peaceful times or in times of war - the "judges" had authority to listen to and settle disputes or as "Points of Light," if you will, in rallying the "troops" against the peoples of the neighboring regions. Regardless of the circumstances, the "judges," were viewed as God's select. That Deborah, arguably not a "judge," but mentioned in the book of Judges, speaks volumes of her significance and notoriety among the people. Thus, her gender was of little to no consequence to them.
Now, after the death of Ehud, "The Israelites did what was evil in the sight of the LORD" (Judges 4:1). What else is new right? And as usual, the consequences remain the same - they were oppressed, they cried out for help, and God answered by sending a message to the "Prophetess," Deborah... Deborah, by the way, in Hebrew means "Bee." You know like, "float like a butterfly and STING like a bee, kinda "Bee." Yep, the original "Queen honey bee," often depicted as sitting under a special palm tree giving out "oracular" (now there's a word for you) answers and responses to concerns of those seeking it. There she gets a message from God to, "Go, take position at Mount Tabor," a region ruled under King Jabin of Canaan (v. 6b). Soon thereafter, she summons and explains to Barak, "I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabin's army, to meet you by the Wadi Kishon with his chariots and his troops; and I will give him into your hand." He hesitates, but says to her, "If you will go with me, I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go" (vv. 7,8a). Deborah agrees to go with him, but before they depart on their journey, she makes it clear to Barak, that although he is being obedient - albeit reluctantly, "The LORD will sell (deliver) Sisera into the hand of a woman" (v. 9). Ummm hmmm... Yuummmy... The plot thickens...
As the narrative goes, Deborah - "Prophetess," "judge," that "Queen honey bee" - draws Sisera out like she said she would and tells Barak to get up and go after them. The text doesn't tell us how she drew Sisera out, but if the song and video accompanying this post teaches us anything, it teaches us that women are more than capable of doing just about anything. Anyhue, following Deborah's instructions, Barak leads his men in pursuit of Sisera and something strange happens to Sisera's chariots and army that no human is able to take credit for. Consequently, Sisera gets out of his chariot and takes off running. SIDEBAR: I know the text states that Barak had "ten thousand warriors," and Sisera had "nine hundred chariots of iron," and an undisclosed number of men with him, but as with alot in the bible, these numbers are exaggerated. They more likely refer to what is called "muster units." That is, that it refers more accurately to members of clans or villages that range anywhere from 5 to 15 people. Back to the narrative... Sisera, now on foot, flees into "the tent of Jael, wife of Heber the Kenite." Right about now, you all should have on your "Black woman's" suspicious look. If not, let me reach for the Black Woman's Cotton Patch version and help you out with this; "Why in the hell is a man going into the tent of another man's wife?" Those who ignore the obvious would likely say, "She is the wife of an ally of King Jabin." Yeah well, whatever!
For the record, ancient Near Eastern customs of hospitality required that travelers and strangers be invited into tents or domiciles, given shelter, food and water, and even protection by the host. Of course that invitation would come by way of the husband and not the wife. Second, it was common for men to have more than one wife and each of those wives had their own individual tents. Third, although Jael is the wife of Heber, an "ally" of King Jabin, she is somewhat related to the Israelite people. Her husband, Heber is a descendant of Jethro (the father of Zipporah - Moses' wife). Thereby making her loyalties a bit questionable to say the least. Have I lost you? Stay with me, stay with me. I told you this book would have you scratching your head and asking "wtf?" But hang in there with me, c'mo...
For the record, ancient Near Eastern customs of hospitality required that travelers and strangers be invited into tents or domiciles, given shelter, food and water, and even protection by the host. Of course that invitation would come by way of the husband and not the wife. Second, it was common for men to have more than one wife and each of those wives had their own individual tents. Third, although Jael is the wife of Heber, an "ally" of King Jabin, she is somewhat related to the Israelite people. Her husband, Heber is a descendant of Jethro (the father of Zipporah - Moses' wife). Thereby making her loyalties a bit questionable to say the least. Have I lost you? Stay with me, stay with me. I told you this book would have you scratching your head and asking "wtf?" But hang in there with me, c'mo...
Sooo... As a woman and sorta kinda obligated by the rituals and customs of hospitality, Jael entreats Sisera to "Turn aside, my lord, turn aside to me; have no fear." Sisera, scared, tired and thirsty, asks for something to drink and that she keep watch at the tent's entrance. Jael "opened a skin of milk (goats milk) and gave him a drink and covered him." I am inclined to suggest goats milk because of its use in that region of the world and also, among its many benefits, goats milk has been known to be a sleep agent - especially with children. Why is that important? Because not long after Sisera is taken in by Jael, he falls asleep. The record states that while he was sleeping, Jael, "went softly to him and drove the peg into his temple, until it went down into the ground." Whoa Lawd... Yeah that's pretty much it... The rest of the story is quick; Jael goes out to meet Barak who is yet pursuing Sisera, and tells him to, "Come and I will show you the man whom you are seeking." And there, lying dead on the floor is Sisera (vv. 10-21). Ahhh c'mon... Don't feel so bad for Sisera, at least he got nailed first... ;)
"My persuasion can build a nation
Endless power
With our love we can devour
You'll do anything for me...
Who run the world? Girls!
Who run this motha? Girls!
Who run the world? Girls!"
© Dorinda G. Henry, 2011 THEOLOGIA HABITUS EST!
